Gaming apparatus

ABSTRACT

A gaming device is provided having a playing zone adjacent a game display device with a shelf projecting forwardly of the display. The shelf extends between a pair of columns mounted to a support member. The support and columns form a wraparound structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gaming is a popular pastime. Numerous gaming devices are provided someof which may be played standing up and some which may be played sittingdown. Many players will play a specific device for very long periods oftime, up to several hours continuously. Comfort therefore is animportant criteria in a player's decision to play and to continue toplay. Additionally, many players will have a friend or partner with themas they play a gaming device. However, many gaming devices are notamenable for use by two or more people simultaneously because of theirfoot print shape and restrictions on floor area occupied. Additionally,many players will have with them a handbag, purse, satchel or the likeand on many machines, there is no secure area or any area on which sucha bag may be placed during playing. Players also, do not want to carrysuch a bag on their person during playing. Still further, many playersprefer to stand up while playing a gaming device and many players preferto sit while playing. However, the height of the players can differgreatly making it difficult to provide a gaming apparatus that can beplayed both sitting down, standing up and that is adapted to accommodatesignificantly differing player heights.

Current gaming devices do not provide the aforementioned comfort,convenience and security features and thus, there is a need for animproved gaming device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention involves the provision of an improved gamingdevice which provides for comfort, convenience, security and privacywithout increasing or appreciably increasing the floor area which itoccupies. The gaming device includes a pair of generally upright columnswith at least one forming an enclosure which may be used for housingelectronic components. The enclosure is provided with an access memberthat may be secured in a closed and locked condition. More than oneenclosure may be provided with different locking devices to allow accessto the various enclosures only by people with different access devicessuch as keys or combinations. The upright columns are secured to asupport member which extends therebetween. A display device is providedto face a player to display game elements or indicia to a player orpotential player. The support member and upright columns form an opensided enclosure partially encompassing a playing zone in which thedisplay device is positioned. A shelf member is provided in the playingzone and projects outwardly from the support member to the open side.The shelf member may be adjustable in height and the display device maybe adjustable for viewing from various angles. The device is providedwith a payment receiving device associated with at least one of thecolumns and is adapted for receiving payment either in the form of cash,tokens or a certificate indicating credit is due.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gaming device showing portions of thegaming device in phantom indicating alternate positions of portions ofthe device.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of portions of the gaming device includingcolumns and support.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a column with doors open.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation view of a display and drive toadjust the viewing angle of the display.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary elevation view of a shelf drive.

Like numbers throughout the various figures designate like or similarparts or structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The referenced numeral 11 designates generally a gaming device havingspaced apart first and second columns 12L and 12R and a support member14 secured to and extending between the columns 12. A game displaydevice 15 is also provided. The columns 12 and support 14 provide anopen sided enclosure designated generally 17 with an open side 18 forplayer access. The display 15 faces generally toward the open side 18. Ashelf structure designated generally 20 is carried by at least one ofthe support 14 and columns 12 and preferably has the display 15 mountedthereto for support. Side screens or panels 22 may be exteriorly securedto the columns 12L, 12R to provide additional limitations on viewing ofthe display 15 from the side and to provide aesthetic appeal. A header24 may also be provided.

In the illustrated structure, the columns 12L, 12R are similar inconstruction and preferably are mirror images of one another. A column12, as shown, includes a back member 26 and side members 27, 28. Acolumn 12 defines one or more enclosures 30 which are referenced 30A,30B for convenience. The enclosures 30A, 30B are juxtaposed and may beseparated by a partition 31. A closure member 32 may be mounted to arespective column 12 and selectively movable between open and closedpositions to selectively close and secure the openings 33 into theinterior of the enclosure. The members 32 are each preferably in theform of a hinged door. When the members 32 are in their closedorientation, the enclosures 30A, 30B are closed forming a secure zonewithin the respective interior portion of the column 12. A lock device34, such as a key lock, may be provided to secure the members 32 intheir respective closed position. In a preferred embodiment, the keylocks 34 may be keyed differently to control who has access to whichenclosure 30A or 30B in either column 12, if desired.

Electronic circuitry designated generally 38 may be mounted and securedin a respective enclosure 30A, 30B. Each of the circuit components 38may provide a different function or control. For example, the circuitdevice 38A may be used to read credit slips provided by a player anddeduct play fees from the slip and activate play of the gaming device11. Circuit device 38A may also issue credit slips The circuit 38B mayprovide game content to the display 15 and may include a programmablelogic controller (plc) programmed to provide game playing capability tothe gaming device 11. The circuit device 38C may be provided to acceptcash in pre-selected denominations and allow a player to play the device11 using cash. The device 38A may be utilized to issue a credit deviceif the entirety of the cash deposited at 38C is not utilized by theplayer. The circuit device 38D may be utilized to control portions ofthe drive mechanisms described below.

The support 14 can be in the form of a generally flat panel secured toand extending between the columns 12. Portions of the columns 12 canproject to the sides of the support 14 and outwardly from a face surface36 toward the open side 35 and player or playing zone 40. The columns 12and support 14 may be made of formed metal or other appropriatestructural material and can be painted or otherwise finished fordecorative purposes. A foot rail or rest 37 may be secured to a lowerportion of the support 14 extending outwardly therefrom into a knee/legzone 48. In a preferred embodiment, both the lower portions of thesupport 14 and columns 12 rest on an underlying floor 39. In plan view,the zones 40, 48 are generally in the form of an exaggerated U intransverse cross section providing security for personal items such as apurse and limit access and view into the zones 40, 48. As best seen inFIG. 1, the gaming device 11 includes the exterior sides 22 which may beremovably secured to the exterior sides 27 of the respective column 12L,12R. Adjacent an upper portion of the columns 12 and support 14 theremay be provided a decorative or informative header 24 which ispreferably positioned above the display 15. The foot print of the device11 is wider and shallower than current devices taking up substantiallythe same floor area but providing increased player access.

The display 15, if desired can be pivotally mounted to a shelf member 45of the shelf structure 20. Pivotal movement of the display 15 can permitchanging the angle of preferred viewing of the display 15 for aparticular player. A suitable powered drive 41 such as a motorized screwcan be attached to both the shelf member 45 and the display 15. Byactuation of the drive 41, the display 15 can be pivoted about itsrespective pivots 42 as desired by a player. The drive 41 is preferablyoperably connected to the controller circuit 38D and can be actuated viaa suitable control device 43. In one embodiment the display 15 can be atouch activated screen and various controls can be incorporated into it,including the control device 43. The control device 43 may also bemounted on either of the columns 12L, 12R or the support 14 and is shownmounted on the column 12L. Audio output to players may also be provided.

The shelf structure 20 includes a shelf member 45. The shelf member 45extends from the support 14 into the zone 40 and has a free edge 46spaced outwardly or forwardly of the support 14 and extends between thetwo columns 12L, 12R and the side panels 22. The shelf 45, the support14 and the columns 12L, 12R form or define the zone 40. The area underthe shelf 45 and between the columns 12L, 12R, panels 22 and the support14 form a sitting and knee/leg zone 48 for the player. The lower portionof the support 14 can serve as a modesty panel. In a preferredembodiment, the shelf 45 and display 15 are movable relative to theremainder of the gaming device 11. As seen in FIG. 5, a drive mechanism51 is provided. The drive mechanism 51 can include a bracket 52 fixed tothe shelf 45 and movable therewith. The bracket 52 is in turn connectedto a pair of slide members 53 that guide the upward and downwardmovement of the shelf 45. The drive 51 can include an electric motor 50driving a screw 54 which in turn has followers 55 threadably engagedtherewith. Links 56 are each pivotally connected to a respectivefollower 55 and upon movement of the followers 55 under the influence ofthe rotating screw 54 will effect upward or downward movement of theshelf 45 which movement is guided by the guides 53. The motor 50 ispreferably reversible such that one direction of rotation will effectupward movement and rotation in the opposite direction will effectdownward movement and because of the rigidity of the linkage system, theshelf 45 will be fixed in position, when the motor 50 is not rotating.The control device 57 for the motor 50 is preferably accessible from thetop of the shelf 45 in the player's zone 40. The control device 57 canbe connected to the controller circuit 38D and then the motor 50 ifdesired or directly to the motor 50.

The controls 59 for the game, are also accessible from the player's zone40. The controls 59 may be mounted as appropriate for the particulargame and in any member and design as desired for playing the game. Thecontrols 59 may also be incorporated into the display 15 if it is atouch screen. The display 15 displays the game, game components or gameelements including instructions and choices thereon and may be in theform of a plasma screen, an LCD screen a CRT screen and/or a mechanicaldevice with game elements displayed on mechanical elements or the like.In operation, a player can sit or stand adjacent to shelf 45 and ifsitting, may place their knees under the shelf 45 in the knee/leg zone48. Feet may be placed on the foot rest 37 if desired. The panels 22help provide some side view limitation on viewing by adjacent people.However, they do not prevent viewing by a partner standing or sittingadjacent to free edge 46 of the shelf 45. The appropriate adjustmentsmay be made to the shelf position and the orientation of the display 15as desired by the player. When service is needed, a service person canaccess any one or more of the circuit components 38A, B, C, D aspermitted by the particular key or code for the respective lock 34. Ascan best be seen in FIG. 1, the columns 12 and support 14 and also theside panels 22 form a wrap around structure extending around a portionof the player zone 40 also providing an open sided structure. The gamingdevice 11 is particularly adapted for playing a game of chance inrelative privacy, security and comfort. The wrap around structureprovides security for such things as hand bags and satchels which may behung from hooks 61 positioned in the zone 48 to position a hand bag,satchel or the like in the zone 48. Because of the movable features ofthe shelf 45 and display 15, the player's comfort can be furtherenhanced. The input device or controls 59 for playing the game of chancecan be suitably mounted to send one or more play signals from thecontrol or controls 59 to the circuitry such as circuit 38B which inturn sends display data from a programmed plc to the display 15. Thepayment receiving devices 38A, C can be conveniently located on oppositesides of the player zone as best seen in FIG. 2.

Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a novelinvention. As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspectsof the present invention are not limited by the particular details ofthe examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated thatother modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occurto those skilled in the art. The terms “having” and “including” andsimilar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in thesense of “optional” or “may include” and not as “required.” Manychanges, modifications, variations and other uses and applications ofthe present construction will, however, become apparent to those skilledin the art after considering the specification and the accompanyingdrawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses andapplications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of theinvention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limitedonly by the claims which follow.

1. A gaming apparatus comprising: an upright first column forming afirst enclosure; an upright second column forming a second enclosure andbeing spaced from the first column; a support member secured to andextending between the first and second columns with first and secondcolumns having portions projecting generally in the same directionrelative to the support member forming an open side enclosure partiallyencompassing a playing zone; a shelf member extending between portionsof the first and second columns and the support member said shelf memberdefining a portion of the playing zone and having a free edge oppositethe support member; and a display device positioned between the firstand second columns and above the shelf member and facing generallytoward the free edge.
 2. The gaming apparatus of claim 1 including atleast one electronic circuit mounted in at least one of the first andsecond enclosures.
 3. The gaming apparatus of claim 1 including at leastone payment receiving device associated with at least one of the firstand second columns.
 4. The gaming apparatus of claim 1 including: atleast one electronic circuit mounted in at least one of the first andsecond enclosures; and at least one payment receiving device associatedwith at least one of the first and second columns.
 5. The gamingapparatus of claim 2 including a lock device selectively restrictingaccess to at least one of said first and second enclosures
 6. The gamingapparatus of claim 1 including at least one side panel mounted to atleast one of said first column or second column and extending toward thefree edge forming a portion of an enclosure with an open side adjacentthe free edge.
 7. The gaming apparatus of claim 6 including a pluralityof said side panels each mounted to a respective said first column orsecond column and extending toward the free edge forming a portion of awrap around enclosure with an open side adjacent the free edge.
 8. Thegaming apparatus of claim 1 including a first power drive mechanismoperable to selectively raise and lower the shelf member.
 9. The gamingapparatus of claim 1 including a second power drive operably connectedto the display device and operable to selectively change a viewing anglethereof.
 10. The gaming apparatus of claim 4 including a first powerdrive mechanism operable to selectively raise and lower the shelfmember.
 11. The gaming apparatus of claim 4 including a second powerdrive operably connected to the display device and operable toselectively change a viewing angle thereof.
 12. The gaming apparatus ofclaim 1 including; a first power drive mechanism operable to selectivelyraise and lower the shelf member; and a second power drive operablyconnected to the display device and operable to selectively change aviewing angle thereof.
 13. The gaming apparatus of claim 1 wherein thedisplay device includes a touch screen.
 14. The gaming apparatus ofclaim 1 including at least one electronic circuit including a plcprogrammed to present a game of chance to a player and send data to thedisplay device to show game elements.
 15. The gaming apparatus of claim14 including an input device operable to send a play signal generated bya player to the plc.